Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-04-14

round the neck Of his little mustang,
was no ordinary bushwhi cker. When
the two soldiers seized him Corporal
John saw bef ore him boy Of about
eighteen, a handsome, spirited looking
youngster, in citizens dress and armed
with light rifle. Trembling and flushing
by turns, the prisoner flashed his black
eyes defantly, and cried out
'Unhand me, senors will not
submit TO this outrage
He spoke in Spanish, and the corpo-
raj understood this language much bet
ter than he did French.
who are you, and what are you do
ing here p he asked, sternly.
The little Mexican drew himself up
haughtily.
1T is no crime to hunt he replied.
Il am not soldier. See, wear no
uniform. Why am l treated in this
way ? Restore my rifle and my mus
tang and let me proceed on my way
1t was wonderfully sweet voice and
it had an imperious ring in it. Corpo-
raj John wavered moment, but one
of the men spoke up:
"a cursed brigand and caught with
arms in his hands in ambush. Re-
member the Captains order.'
Il will take him down to the river
and finish him myself, said The corpo-
raj, grimly. Il can't take you two
from the road at present. Keep your,
eyes open.'
There was protest from the others
but the corporal silenced them.
Il won't have any useless nuiSe,' he
explained. 'I'll take him to the river,
cut his throat and throw him in. That
will be the safest plan
Tying the hands of the prison er, he
led him through the thick under growth
down to the muddy stream hundred
yards from the road.
'Senor.'
Corporal John looked down relent-
lessly into the youthful face.
'Well, he answered, gruffly.
'Senor, this is a brave deed for SOL
dier, to murder an unarmed prisoner ,
You and your friends have been
numbering our men, replied the corpo-
raj, 'and we must get even and set an
example,
'Senor. let me speak. Less than a
month ago hand of your soldiers
burned our Hacienda. They stabbed
my father, harmless old man, with
their bayonets until he was dead. My
mother fled into the swamps, where she
died Of fright and exposure. Well,
will tell the truth. Since then my
brother and | have been with guerrillas,
and we have done some good work.
Do you blame me p
No, l DON'T John blurted out &;
but l don't know whether you are tell
ing the truth or lie. | must obey Or
ders.'
But senior, would you kill a woman
"a girl p
Good God = cried tie corporal.
Then, when he glanced at the upturn-
ed face and saw the liquid eyes with
their long lashes, the pouting crimson
lips, and the family flushed, dark face,
he wondered that he had not suspected
the truth before.
'Senorita,' stammered the rough SOL
dier, Il am sorry that you are in this
trouble. You may rest assured, how
eyer, that am not going to kill you
Il knew it = and the girl smiled tri-
umphantly.
But you ought to be sent to head,
quarters
And would my life be safe there p
No, I don't believe it would was
the corporal's thoughtful reply.
Then set me free y
Hey p
Set me free y
Hang me If don't = said the cor
poral, why, of course | WILL
He cus the prisoners bonds and gave
an inquiring look.
1T is all right responded the senor-
ita. The stream is not deep at this
point. am going to ford it, and on
the other side of yonder hill my broth
er and his companions await me-
When you return to your companions
tell them that you did your duty. God
bless you, senior, and FAREWELL
Before he could speak the senorita
was half way arcross the river. AS she
disappeared in the forest on the other
side she waved her hand, and the cor.
poral heartily responded.
ugh Don't ask me- was CorpO-
raj Johns reply to the questions of his
comrades. L did my duty. That is
enough
There were other things demanding
the attention, and the fate of the Mex.
lean lad was not very searchingly in